She froze. “I don’t know.” More tears erupted out of her eyes. “I haven’t been careful. What if I hurt it? Oh my God.” Her hand shot to her mouth.
“You didn’t know, it’s okay,” I said as soothingly as I could. “Everything’s going to be okay.”
“I’m sorry.” She squeezed her eyes shut, and her knuckles turned white as she gripped the wheel. “No, no, no, I’mnotsorry. How do I always end up apologizing when I’m the one who's mad?” she said in a frustrated voice. “Youare the one who crashed intomylife. You made me fall for you, and then you didn’t even want totryto be together, and I’m the one whose life is a complete and utter disaster now.”
As I replayed her little tirade, all I could focus on was the fact that she fell for me.She fell for me, and I was the one who fucked it all up. I vowed right then to fix it. Even if it took the rest of my life, I’d make it up to her.
I reached out to hold her, but she flinched away. My jaw went slack. “Everything’s going to be okay. I promise,” I tried. “You’re the furthest thing from a disaster.”
She gave me a deadpan look. “I’m currently living out of a suitcase, and now I’m worried I hurt it.”
“Ali, you didn’t, I swear—” My phone started ringing, cutting me off. Pulling it out, Colt’s name and picture flashed across the screen like a beacon for help.Perfect timing, buddy.
Quickly answering, I said, “Hey, question—”
“No, donottell anyone,” Ali interrupted while trying her best to wipe up her face.
I pulled my phone from my ear. “But it’s Colt, they just had Callahan. All the baby stuff will be fresh in his mind.”
She shook her head. “I didn’t tell Mer or Piper, so you can’t tellthe guys before I tell them.” Her shoulders hitched up. “I haven’t been a good friend. This will just be the icing on the cake. I need to just go, because I—”
“Ali,” I cut her off. “Stop. You are a good friend.” I could hear Colt’s voice on the other end of the phone. I quickly hung up on him. “And everyone wants you here, especially me, all right? And they’re gonna know anyway. I give them about an hour before they start piecing things together, maybe less.”
“What? How?” she squeaked.
I snuck a peek down at her chest and grimaced. “Your boobs were kinda a hit.”
“With who?” she whimpered.
“Piper was going to ask for the surgeon you went to for your supposed boob job,” I said, and she let out a wobbly laugh while wiping her eyes. “And then Colt saw me panicking when I went for that water. Actually, I give it about five minutes before they start asking questions. Do you wanna go back in?”
She sucked in a shaky breath and shook her head. “No, let’s just get out of here. I’m not ready.”
With a nod, I popped open the rusty car door.
“Wait, where are you going?” she asked confusedly.
“C’mon, I’m driving.”
She hesitated.
“Your hands are shaking, Ali,” I said calmly. “Let me drive?”
Taking in a deep breath, she followed after me, but her face was still creased with worry.
19. ALI – NOTHING’S CHANGED
“You warm enough?” he asked after a beat of silence.
“M’fine,” I murmured, even though it was tempting to swipe the hoodie laying on the backseat of his fancy new truck. The old me would’ve snatched it up without a second thought or permission. But that version of me, as well as his old rickety truck, were long gone.
Besides, I wasn’t a strong enough woman to be surrounded by his scent and not completely fold to anything he wanted. I needed to keep my head because I wasn’t even sure whatIwanted. I couldn’t forget that the last time he saw me he was practically breaking up with me with the clichéd “too busy with hockey” line.
I turned to stare out the window as we drove around the impressive Chicago skyline. “What happened to your old truck?”
“It’s back at Herb’s.”
Silence filled the air, which I knew made him uncomfortable, but I wasn't about to jump in and help him.
